EPCS Board continues to fine-tune renovation project

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Published: Tuesday, 26 May 2015 19:40

WINAMAC - The Eastern Pulaski Community School Board continues to fine-tune the process for the renovation project it approved late last year for the school campus facilities.

At its May meeting, the board voted to re-bid the elementary school project, and to table the technology and infrastructure portion of the project.

Rusty Nichols, Gibraltar Design in Indianapolis, discussed the scope of the elementary school building project.  He recommended rejecting all bids and developing a new scope and then re-bid.  After discussion, the board voted to accept the recommendation. 

There was extensive discussion on the technology and infrastructure portion of the general obligation bond project. The bid proposal did include a new fire alarm system and intercom system. There was also discussion on the phone system. Discussion centered on rejecting the bids and just bidding the fire alarm system.  After discussion, the board voted to table the technology and infrastructure portion of the building project to receive further information. 

In other business, Class of 2015 valedictorian Hannah DeGroot and her family, Perry, Katie and Jack DeGroot and salutatorian Francesca Niewiadomski and her parents, Richard and Sharon Niewiadomski, were recognized by the board.  Superintendent Dan Foster and high school principal Rick DeFries highlighted the students’ academic records.  DeFries added that the two students were truly positive role models for the entire student body. Hannah shared her plans for the future.  Francesca was not able to attend. 

Also in other business, Foster recommended purchasing the Canvas Instructure Learning System.  Canvas will provide a “common” learning system for all teachers and students which is expected to be very helpful for eLearning opportunities. Technology officer Adam Bennett reported on the benefits of the system.  After discussion, the board voted to approve the purchase.

Foster reported that each school corporation needs to comply with IC 20-26-11-32, Transfer Tuition, as to whether they want to accept transfer students (students living out of the district).  Each school corporation needs (1) to agree to accept transfers, (2) to set a number of transfers that will be accepted, and (3) set the end date for transfers to be accepted.  If the number of transfer requests exceeds the established capacity, the school would need to have a “lottery” selection for transfer requests at a public meeting.

In the past the EPCS board has taken action not to charge for transfer tuition if the individual student is enrolled by the September count date.  Foster recommended to continue to accept transfers for the 2015-16 school year, but to set March 1, 2016, as the cutoff date to accept transfers (second state count date) and to set the capacity (as per the new law) to accommodate the EPCS facilities at the following numbers:  elementary school – 740, middle school – 350, high school – 450.  After discussion, the board voted to continue to accept transfers for the 2015-16 school year, to set the enrollment date at March 1, 2016, and to set the capacity as per Foster’s recommendation. 

Legislative Session News: Foster reported it is projected that for the 2015-16 fiscal year Eastern Pulaski Schools will receive an approximately .2% decrease in funding, but for the 2016-17 fiscal year an approximate 3% increase. 

Foster recommended continuing with the Title I and High Ability Grant Programs as in the past.  After discussion the board voted to accept the recommendation. 

Board approval was given for textbook rental fees to remain at $100 ($95 for textbooks and $5 for handbooks) for elementary and middle school students, and $105 for high school students for the 2015-16 school year.  The extra $10 for high school students is a technology fee. 

Approval was voted for the elementary, middle, and high school 2015-16 student handbooks as presented.

The first reading on School Board Policy Section 206 – Superintendent’s Evaluation was presented.  The policy was “cleaned up” and aligned with the teacher’s evaluation.  The second reading will be presented at the June meeting.

Foster gave a financial report for the period ending April 30.  All funds had positive balances.  Foster answered questions about claims, and after discussion the board approved all claims as presented.

High school English teacher Ryan Morehouse submitted his resignation effective May 7.  Tina Stacy was recommended to fill Duane Johansen’s English position, starting the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year.  After discussion, the board voted to accept the resignation of Morehouse and the recommendation of Mrs. Stacey as presented

Two summer school classes and contracts were presented for approval, high school physical education with instructor Kyle Johnson, and high school economics with instructor Kevin Zupin.  Foster stated that the classes do have sufficient enrollment and recommended the classes be offered with the proposed instructors.  The board voted to approve the classes and contracts as presented. 

The following donations were presented:

• A grant from PACE for $18,200 for the elementary school was presented for approval. 
• A new popcorn machine for the elementary school, donated by the PTA, was presented for approval. 

After discussion, the board accepted the donations. 

The girls basketball team presented an overnight field trip request to Spiece Fieldhouse in Ft. Wayne.  The team has taken this trip in the past.  After discussion, the board voted to approve the request as presented. 

Principals Jill Collins, Rick DeFries, and Ryan Dickinson shared end-of-year activities from their respective buildings.  Field trips, awards programs, concerts, and athletic events were shared. 

Foster congratulated the students and staff for another great school year – the last 6 to 8 weeks are very busy and hectic.

During board comment the academic awards program was commended and all those who make it possible.  Hannah DeGroot and Francesca Niewiadomski were congratulated as the valedictorian and salutatorian.  The PTA and PACE were commended for their donations.  Everyone was asked to keep former middle school principal Stan Good in their thoughts and prayers.